For some, surfing is a weekend hobby or a casual escape. For Under Lee, a mid-30s U.S. Army and brewer-in-training, surfing is a force of nature that completely upended his existence.

"To put it bluntly," Under says with a relaxed grin, "surfing ruins your life—but only to rebuild it in a completely new direction."

Currently living in California, Under’s journey to the lineup has been anything but conventional. Straddling the worlds of military discipline, craft beer fermentation, and ocean swells, his story is a testament to what happens when you let a singular passion dictate your lifestyle.

From Bali to Okinawa: A Scattered Beginning

Under’s obsession didn't ignite overnight. It began in 2019 on a three-week trip to the sun-drenched breaks of Kuta Beach in Bali. Alongside his close friend and surf coach, Hyunmin, Under joined a surf camp and caught his very first waves.

But life quickly fragmented his progress. Shortly after Bali, Under relocated to Okinawa, Japan, where he spent five years. While there, he spent two years trying to navigate the island's notoriously challenging and localized reef breaks.

"Looking back, I was a complete beginner who didn't even understand the wave patterns," Under recalls. "I’d head out into uncrowded waters during typhoons maybe five or six times. It was incredibly beautiful, but knowing what I know now, it was wild."

Compounding the challenge was his commitment to the military. Every time Under felt he was building momentum in the water, duty called. Active-duty stints and mandatory training blocks would abruptly break his rhythm. Yet, instead of walking away, the forced breaks only fueled his hunger. When his physical skills couldn't progress on land, he poured his energy into surf theory, analyzing mechanics and studying the ocean from afar.

The California Shift and the Elite Lineup

The true turning point arrived a year ago when Under moved to California. Reconnecting with his old friend Hyunmin, the two became roommates, establishing a home base dedicated entirely to the ocean.

California brought a massive shift in perspective, especially when elite professional surfers from Korea—including standout shortboarder Jun and celebrated longboarders like Daniel and Taewoong—came to visit. Watching them navigate the highly competitive California crowds was a masterclass for Under.

"California is packed with incredibly talented locals, so my standards are pretty high," Under admits. "But these guys stood out immediately. Just being in the water next to them, watching their passion and absorbing their advice, bridged the gap between the theory I had studied and the reality of riding a wave. It forced me to grow."

Waking Up at 4 AM: A New Way of Living

When asked how surfing changed him, Under doesn't point to his ability to cut back or carve. He points to his clock.

"Since my active military days, I had never lived like this," he says. "Now, I’m up at 4:00 AM every single day. I’m at the beach before the sun even clears the horizon."

Surfing, according to Under, filters out the noise of bad habits and leaves room only for what matters. It has completely reconfigured his social circle and his daily rhythm. He finds himself surrounded by a very specific breed of people: those who are relaxed yet fiercely resilient.

"The people who stay with surfing are the ones who simply refuse to give up. They are eccentric, positive, and they enjoy life, but they don't live thoughtlessly. Being around that energy has drastically elevated my quality of life."

"Ruining" Life to Find It

Many people compare the addictive nature of surfing to golf, but Under sees it as something much more disruptive—and necessary. It is a sport that demands a 180-degree rotation of your lifestyle.

Between his shifts studying the craft of beer at a local brewery and his duties with the Army, the ocean remains the anchor. Under Lee may have started late, and his path may have been interrupted by camouflage and camouflage nets, but out in the California lineup as the sun comes up, it’s clear he is exactly where he is supposed to be.